Jocasta has just committed suicide, and a messenger (the "second messenger") is reporting these events to the chorus. Jocasta had run to her bed lamenting Laius and her marriages, which brought forth such dire consequences. The messenger says he doesn't know exactly how Jocasta died, because Oedipus ran in and distracted him with shouts of wanting a sword with which to kill Jocasta. He was cursing his wife/mother, and cursing the womb that begat him, as she had mourned the bed that had brought forth her husband and son. However, the gods then led Oedipus into the next room where he saw Jocasta hanged. He cried and cut her noose, took her dress' brooches and pierced his eyes.
Oedipus then cried that never wants his crimes to be seen and that he does not wish to see or recognise the people he lives. His blood is described as gushing, not sluggish, and good fortune of days past is now gone. Instead, out of anything unfortunate that can be thought of, every one can be named as the most terrible things that can happen have indeed happened to Oedipus.
The chorus asks whether Oedipus is doing better now, and the messenger says that Oedipus now wants to be exiled, no longer wanting to curse his house. The doors are about to be opened and Oedipus about to come out of the house; the Chorus bemoan the sight of Oedipus and mourn his ill luck.
Analysis
This scene is probably the most climactic, and certainly a more famous, scene of the play. The theme of blindness vs sight is addressed/revisited, as is the theme of the contrasts between physical sight, foresight and insight. The height of irony comes into play here - after not believing Teiresias' prophecy and calling him a blind fool, Oedipus becomes blind himself. It is also ironic that in receiving a huge amount of insight, Oedipus feels the need to take away his physical sight. That which Teiresias referenced (which didn't make sense at the time - "he shall be proved father and brother both/to his own children in his house.. 455-456) has now been revealed to be true, and actually does make sense.
Jocasta had been suspicious about Oedipus' history for some time before finding out the whole truth; when it was finally revealed to her, it pained her so much that she basically hanged herself immediately. Oedipus, on the other hand, wanted to kill Jocasta. His arrogance is shown earlier in the play - he refused to believe prophecies that don't suit him, and accused his friend of conspiring against him. He appears to place such importance on his political role and image that he would accuse Creon of conspiracies deserving of murder, yet loudly and extravagantly proclaims his own loyalties and good qualities, such as saying that if he is found to be harbouring Laius' murderer, he should be banished. The question is often raised as to why Oedipus is attracted to an older woman and yet doesn't see the connection to the prophecy - perhaps his reaction to want to kill Jocasta is so strong because he sees what an incredible fool he was. His pride has been crushed, he has been proven wrong and is now suffering immensely for it and straightaway looks for a way to take his anger out on Jocasta.
Oedipus also blinds himself rather than killing himself - it is debatable whether this really is an act of courage, or cowardice. It takes a lot to kill oneself, especially if, like Oedipus, one is full of ambition. However, if he had killed himself, that would be an escape for him and he would no longer have to deal with the repercussions. His decision to remain living, but blind and in exile and shame, is a noble one, for he says himself that he has committed the most heinous act and deserves punishment worse than death.
Summary
Jocasta has just committed suicide, and a messenger (the "second messenger") is reporting these events to the chorus. Jocasta had run to her bed lamenting Laius and her marriages, which brought forth such dire consequences. The messenger says he doesn't know exactly how Jocasta died, because Oedipus ran in and distracted him with shouts of wanting a sword with which to kill Jocasta. He was cursing his wife/mother, and cursing the womb that begat him, as she had mourned the bed that had brought forth her husband and son. However, the gods then led Oedipus into the next room where he saw Jocasta hanged. He cried and cut her noose, took her dress' brooches and pierced his eyes.
Oedipus then cried that never wants his crimes to be seen and that he does not wish to see or recognise the people he lives. His blood is described as gushing, not sluggish, and good fortune of days past is now gone. Instead, out of anything unfortunate that can be thought of, every one can be named as the most terrible things that can happen have indeed happened to Oedipus.
The chorus asks whether Oedipus is doing better now, and the messenger says that Oedipus now wants to be exiled, no longer wanting to curse his house. The doors are about to be opened and Oedipus about to come out of the house; the Chorus bemoan the sight of Oedipus and mourn his ill luck.
Analysis
This scene is probably the most climactic, and certainly a more famous, scene of the play. The theme of blindness vs sight is addressed/revisited, as is the theme of the contrasts between physical sight, foresight and insight. The height of irony comes into play here - after not believing Teiresias' prophecy and calling him a blind fool, Oedipus becomes blind himself. It is also ironic that in receiving a huge amount of insight, Oedipus feels the need to take away his physical sight. That which Teiresias referenced (which didn't make sense at the time - "he shall be proved father and brother both/to his own children in his house.. 455-456) has now been revealed to be true, and actually does make sense.
Jocasta had been suspicious about Oedipus' history for some time before finding out the whole truth; when it was finally revealed to her, it pained her so much that she basically hanged herself immediately. Oedipus, on the other hand, wanted to kill Jocasta. His arrogance is shown earlier in the play - he refused to believe prophecies that don't suit him, and accused his friend of conspiring against him. He appears to place such importance on his political role and image that he would accuse Creon of conspiracies deserving of murder, yet loudly and extravagantly proclaims his own loyalties and good qualities, such as saying that if he is found to be harbouring Laius' murderer, he should be banished. The question is often raised as to why Oedipus is attracted to an older woman and yet doesn't see the connection to the prophecy - perhaps his reaction to want to kill Jocasta is so strong because he sees what an incredible fool he was. His pride has been crushed, he has been proven wrong and is now suffering immensely for it and straightaway looks for a way to take his anger out on Jocasta.
Oedipus also blinds himself rather than killing himself - it is debatable whether this really is an act of courage, or cowardice. It takes a lot to kill oneself, especially if, like Oedipus, one is full of ambition. However, if he had killed himself, that would be an escape for him and he would no longer have to deal with the repercussions. His decision to remain living, but blind and in exile and shame, is a noble one, for he says himself that he has committed the most heinous act and deserves punishment worse than death.